cannabisnews.com: Marijuana Lobby Aims Off Target
††Marijuana Lobby Aims Off Target
Posted by CN Staff on September 05, 2006 at 07:43:52 PT
By Megan Maizel †
Source: Diamondback†
Maryland -- This past April during SGA elections, a referendum was passed suggesting the punishments in dorms for marijuana and alcohol be the same. As it stands currently, marijuana is listed as a ďSection AĒ offense, meaning any individual caught with marijuana will have his or her housing terminated immediately, as well as be subject to other potential punishments. Possession of alcoholic beverages, meanwhile, is listed under ďSection B,Ē which requires a warning and probation from housing, as well as potential community service for first offenses.
The referendum represented a widespread view on campus that the marijuana restrictions are overly harsh, and that the drug should be categorized differently than other potentially more harmful substances. However, the movement to loosen restrictions on the drug, while impressive in its numbers and passionate leaders, is a cause lacking any real hope.The reason I write this is a very simple one, and one that is all too often overlooked by passionate students: marijuana is illegal. In the United States, it is illegal to possess, distribute, or use marijuana. Period. While some may argue that underage drinking is illegal as well, the fundamental truth is that alcohol itself is not classified by the Drug Enforcement Administration as illegal to possess, as marijuana is. That being said, I am just a little confused as to how campus groups such as Students for a Sensible Drug Policy feel they are going to get a movement passed to change the resident life student code of conduct. One can only hope their proposals are only symbolic, and that these students donít actually believe this ludicrous movement will be recognized by the administration.This is not to say I disagree with the points the groups address. They argue that marijuana is not nearly as harmful as alcohol, and that students under the influence of marijuana are not an immediate threat to themselves or their fellow students (though the Dorito rack at Wawa should probably watch its back). I do tend to agree with this ó alcohol-related violent crimes seem to be much more common than marijuana-related ones. Another good point addressed is that we are wasting our time and money incarcerating otherwise law-abiding citizens. These groups say that as a result of these and several other reasons, marijuana punishments should be decreased.Nonetheless, these issues are completely irrelevant in talking about campus punishments. Even if change is in the winds for marijuana laws and marijuana is indeed less harmful than the government makes it out to be, the fact is the law states marijuana is illegal and we as a school must uphold that. Iím getting awfully tired of stories about poor friends who were stripped of housing because they were caught with weed, and how unfair it is. I certainly sympathize with the situation ó having housing pulled out from under your feet must not be pleasant ó but itís not like the situation is unavoidable and unjust. I have a solution for those who donít want their housing revoked: donít bring your weed on campus. Following the rules should not be a selective thing. You know the rules, so donít complain when the punishments are carried out when you knowingly violate them.So for all of you who believe our campusí marijuana policy must change, please think about where you are directing your argument. Perhaps the intention is working your way up the ladder to higher and higher officials until a state or national law is passed, but please donít ask me to support your endeavors to make the possession of marijuana a ďSection BĒ offense here on campus. Doing so would put possessing this currently illegal substance on the same punishment level as throwing a Nerf football or littering inside the residence halls, and would create a mockery out of our state and national laws.Megan Maizel is a sophomore philosophy and American studies major. Newshawk: MayanSource: Diamondback, The (U of MD Edu)Author: Megan Maizel Published: September 05, 2006Copyright: 2006 Maryland Media, Inc.Contact: opinion dbk.umd.eduWebsite: http://www.diamondbackonline.com/SSDP:http://www.ssdp.org/CannabisNews -- Cannabis Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/cannabis.shtml
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Comment #20 posted by freewillks on September 05, 2006 at 17:30:53 PT
philosophy and American studies major
Megan, I would recomend that you change majors or change schools soon. Philosophy does require you to criticly think about things. After reading your statement, I see you have not criticly thought through your argument. If we consume Marijuana/Cannabis we would be left out in the cold homeless. But if we drink beer and someone Overdoses we get slapped on the hand. Why should Students be removed from the dorms for consuming a plant, Yet others are drinking a lethal substance and geting a slap on the wrist. "However, the movement to loosen restrictions on the drug, while impressive in its numbers and passionate leaders, is a cause lacking any real hope." What lacks hope is an American Studies major not seeing a democracy in action."In the United States, it is illegal to possess, distribute, or use marijuana. Period." You are correct, but he referendum only concerns the punishment for breaking the law. Period."Even if change is in the winds for marijuana laws and marijuana is indeed less harmful than the government makes it out to be, the fact is the law states marijuana is illegal and we as a school must uphold that. Iím getting awfully tired of stories about poor friends who were stripped of housing because they were caught with weed, and how unfair it is. I certainly sympathize with the situation ó having housing pulled out from under your feet must not be pleasant ó but itís not like the situation is unavoidable and unjust. I have a solution for those who donít want their housing revoked: donít bring your weed on campus. Following the rules should not be a selective thing. You know the rules, so donít complain when the punishments are carried out when you knowingly violate them." Again, Megan, the referendum only makes the punishment equel to that of a lethal drug. Period. "Doing so would put possessing this currently illegal substance on the same punishment level as throwing a Nerf football or littering inside the residence halls, and would create a mockery out of our state and national laws." Beer is just as illegal and would seem to mock the laws also. You can't use the argument that beer is only 1/2 as illegal, and then uphold "a Law is a Law" in the same argument. I would hope that your professors did not read this ? of an argument. How embarising.
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Comment #19 posted by global_warming on September 05, 2006 at 16:39:33 PT
twinkle
a simple blink of your eyecan see the shadows on the sides of your eyecatch a glimpsetwinkle
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Comment #18 posted by global_warming on September 05, 2006 at 16:35:34 PT
reach for it
Grace, Humility and JusticeEternity Awaits YouBow to your MasterEternityOpen your handReceive Your LightYou are Never AloneThere is an Infinite PathLighted, every step is guaranteedEvery step closer in the UniverseCloser and CloserReach to the Heavens
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Comment #17 posted by global_warming on September 05, 2006 at 16:21:01 PT
re: a place in this universe
Hail JusticeHail The Light reached into the depthAnd the Night did not understandExamine your place in this worldYour hand in this place of immoralityYour place in the StarsIs part of this EternityYour Hand can touch Eternity
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Comment #16 posted by greenmed on September 05, 2006 at 16:13:56 PT
things...
...are not always as they appear. The young lady is a philosophy major. She may be presenting a clever hybrid of devil's advocate and straw man arguments http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devil%27s_Advocatehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straw_man_argumentto encourage discussion of the issue and perhaps influence those who rejected the SGA referendum. After all, her position seems to boil down to "it's illegal, so take your lumps." Even as a sophomore, having finished just one year, she has no doubt discussed in one of her philosophy classes, or with classmates, whether it is always right to obey the law.
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Comment #15 posted by global_warming on September 05, 2006 at 15:35:31 PT
another example
That government advertising which demonizes cannabis is truly working. I can only feel pity for this young women, she is studying American History, yet she is so un-educated to the real demons of American Democracy.The Drug War is an immoral and illegal exercise in the USA.It is largely fueled by ignorant people, with a desire to belong to the underlying Christian movement, which can assure them a place in a dead secular history, a few crumbs off the table of greed and iniquity can feed many swine and whores.Pity the poor girl, for she has truly lost her way to the stars.
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Comment #14 posted by mayan on September 05, 2006 at 15:33:30 PT
Just Another Lemming
Perhaps the cannabis laws need to be made a mockery of! Does this naive girl drool all over the Patriot act and every other unconstitutional law that's been rammed down our throats since the 9/11 inside job? Kiss your master's ass and don't question him. Master knows what's best for you.One can only hope their proposals are only symbolic, and that these students donít actually believe this ludicrous movement will be recognized by the administration.Things probably won't change until apathetic lemmings like Megan Maizel get off their asses and help end the injustice.Honey, lay down, close your eyes and go back to sleep.
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Comment #13 posted by afterburner on September 05, 2006 at 15:14:40 PT
Underage Alcohol Drinking Is NOT Trivial
{ please donít ask me to support your endeavors to make the possession of marijuana a ďSection BĒ offense here on campus. Doing so would put possessing this currently illegal substance on the same punishment level as throwing a Nerf football or littering inside the residence halls }or drinking alcohol underage as you previously stated, Megan! Do not try to trivialize "Section B" by citing trivial examples.
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Comment #12 posted by Wayne on September 05, 2006 at 13:39:33 PT
Megan Maizel
Well it's a real comfort to see that future generations will have their share of equally worthless prohib-idiots.Megan, sweetie, you're just not cut out for journalism. Good news is, you're only a sophomore...plenty of time to switch majors!
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Comment #11 posted by Truth on September 05, 2006 at 12:43:59 PT
BGreen
Good points.
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Comment #10 posted by museman on September 05, 2006 at 11:46:12 PT
Mrs. Wizard
Now that's profound! And so fittingly true in this atmosphere. Thanks Mrs. Wizard for bringing us home!
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Comment #9 posted by global_warming on September 05, 2006 at 11:19:39 PT
Don't Look Now Megan Maizel
"..and would create a mockery out of our state and national laws." It is already very obvious to most reasonable people.
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Comment #8 posted by whig on September 05, 2006 at 10:09:34 PT
BGreen
And what you say is what reassures me that we are going to come through this bad time and it will get better. We have made it antisocial to do those things. We are making it antisocial to hurt cannabis users, and that is why I write what I do on my blog. I am talking not only to the choir here but to people who hate cannabis, people who don't understand us, people who don't know themselves. I am writing letters to family and friends and strangers and loved ones. I hope it makes a difference.Love and Hatred begins at home:http://cannablog.wordpress.com/2006/09/05/love-and-hatred-begins-at-home/
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Comment #7 posted by Sam Adams on September 05, 2006 at 09:59:58 PT
Referendum
Can a referendum that was widely approved by the student body be characterized as "ludicrous"? Looks more like democracy in action. Do we still know what democracy is in this country?
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Comment #6 posted by BGreen on September 05, 2006 at 09:44:32 PT
Truth re: post #1
Whenever someone uses that "it's illegal, period" line on me I reply:"At one point in the history of this country it was legal to own slaves, legal to beat your kids and work them 16 hours a day in factories, legal to beat your wife but illegal for women to vote. If we should rely solely on the basis of legality, are you in favor of slavery, child and wife abuse, and taking away a women's right to vote, just because those things USED to be the law?"Nobody ever says they want all of that stuff, but it just goes over their head because they still don't get it.The Reverend Bud Green
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Comment #5 posted by FoM on September 05, 2006 at 09:34:15 PT
Truth
Mrs. Wizard! Too much! I'll fix it! No problem.
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Comment #4 posted by Truth on September 05, 2006 at 09:22:59 PT
FoM
Help Mrs. Wizard.You could delete my repete if you want : )
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Comment #2 posted by Truth on September 05, 2006 at 09:21:27 PT
question
What causes more harm?1. a toke of cannabis2. stupid rules that make our students homeless for practicing freedom by using an herb.
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Comment #1 posted by Truth on September 05, 2006 at 09:18:29 PT
first of all...
"The reason I write this is a very simple one, and one that is all too often overlooked by passionate students: marijuana is illegal. In the United States, it is illegal to possess, distribute, or use marijuana. Period."First of all, "Period." is not a sentence. And secondly, this statement is bullshit. It's not as absolute as the author claims. We've all read plenty about the handful of folks that receive their government issued can full of legal joints once a month for their medical problems.
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